Charlie Parker - with Jay McShan

[Alon Marcus]

What early recordings of Parker exist?

I read that his recordings with McShan can only be found on tapes and privet collections.

[medjuck]

Bird recorded with McShan on Decca and those recordings are available on cd. Various broadcasts and private recordings are available on the Stash label amongst others.

[ghost of miles]

Try looking for an import series called YOUNG BIRD. The first two volumes (which came out as a double-CD) contain much, if not all, of the material for which you're looking.

[Harold_Z]

I have the Wichita transcriptions on a Stash cd. I don't think that cd would be too difficult to find, although it is oop.

[Alon Marcus]

Thanks!

[AllenLowe]

the most fascinating of the early stuff, IMHO, is the duo stuff with the guitarist Effergee Ware (spelling?) - ca. 1942, issued on Stash - really allows you to see what Bird was working on - find it!

[jazzbo]

That is also on the afore-mentioned two cd set "Young Bird" on Masters of Jazz. That two cd set has so much great stuff on it it is well worth seeking out.

[John L]

Any way that you get them, the live recordings with of Bird with McShann are superb. Most of them are in good sound.

The Stash CD. "Early Bird." not only includes all of the Bird live with McShann, but another live McShann session from 1944. Bird had already left the band, but that didn't slow them down.

[Mark J]

Ghost of Miles and Lon above give good advice. The "Young Bird" 2 CD set on Masters of Jazz (unfortunately OOP since the label went bust) is great, excellent notes and the best sound I have ever heard this material. So many good things there, besides the fine studio and live recordings with McShann - many priceless jams including the Redcross jam recordings done in a hotel which are his first with Diz, Cherokee live from Monroe's in '42, interesting 'Trio' recordings from 1942 and fascinating sides where he plays along with 2 Benny Goodman 78s and a Hazel Scott 78 - this gives you a little insight into his creative process at this time. Really amazing to hear. Try to find this if you can.

[Chuck Nessa]

The Stash cd mentioned is a reissue of a Spotlite lp. Spotlite may have issued a cd in England.

[Randy Twizzle]

it's been years since i heard it but doesn't Art Pepper have a very funny intro to "Cherokee" on the Village Vanguard box w/Elvin? something like, "if you can't play this, you can't fuckin' play..."

I thought Ray Noble said that during a broadcast from the Rainbow Room

[Rooster_Ties]

the most fascinating of the early stuff, IMHO, is the duo stuff with the guitarist Effergee Ware (spelling?) - ca. 1942, issued on Stash - really allows you to see what Bird was working on - find it!

Didn't know there was any piano-less Bird out there (other than the "with Strings" dates). Would love to hear them sometime. Wonder if Spontoonious has these??

[Fer Urbina]

We were talking about this in the Tomajazz! Forum recently. You can see the cover and tune titles there.

Check out http://www.plosin.com/milesAhead/BirdDisco.aspx too for tunes and dates (thanks to EKE BBB for the tip).

I would definitely go for the Masters Of Jazz. Not so unusual in eBay.

F U

[ghost of miles]

That is a drag about Masters of Jazz--forgot that they're history now. I have V. 3 of their YOUNG BIRD series as well; great way to get all of that stray early-1940s stuff.

[Alon Marcus]

Once again thank you all. Very interesting and informative.

Great discography of Parker!